As the soot
and dirt and ash rained over us,
We became one color.
As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building,
We became one class.
As we lit candles of hope and remembrance,
We became one generation.
As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into
the inferno,
We became one gender.
As we fell to our knees in prayer and strength,
We became one faith.
As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,
We spoke one language.
As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,
We became one body.
As we mourned together the great loss,
We became one family.
As we cried tears of rage and grief,
We became one soul.
As we shared with pride the sacrifice of heroes,
We became one people.
We are
One color,
One class,
One generation,
One gender,
One faith,
One language,
One body,
One family,
One soul,
One people. We are the Power of One.
We are United. We are America.

"When
you think of it, it was our first victory against the terrorist threat."
Brother of Edward Felt, at a memorial service.

01/29/02
- From EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN)

When I dress in
the morning, I try to remember I wear the uniform of a military that
protects the greatest symbol of democracy and freedom in the world.

But sometimes, I
forget.

I also try to remember
people who dress as I do every morning, the ones who have dressed this
way so many days before me, and those who will follow me.

But sometimes, I
forget.

I try to keep in
mind just one of the fallen heroes who wore this very same uniform.
The ones who lost their lives in it, and the ones who still wear it
as they lie in their final resting places in a national cemetery.

But sometimes, I
forget.

Every morning, when
I go to work, I try to remember to say good morning to my co-workers
-- military and civilian. I try to remember these people protect my
freedom as I work beside them each day.

But sometimes, I
forget.

I try to remember
that my job is the greatest in the world.

But sometimes, I
forget.

I try to remember
that although this uniform may be a little too warm in the summer and
just not warm enough in the winter, thousands of my comrades remain
missing in action, and others were imprisoned for years on foreign soil,
suffering torture and abuse inconceivable to humanity -- all this while
wearing this uniform.

But sometimes, I
forget.

During the day,
when I think of all the other things I would rather be doing with my
life, I try to remember the role I take part in while wearing this uniform.
I try to remember this world is still a dangerous place, and we must
work extremely hard to safeguard the freedom we take for granted so
our children will know the freedom we have always known.

But sometimes, I
forget.

I try to remember
as I pledge my allegiance to Old Glory, this awe-inspiring symbol of
freedom and democracy, that others entrust my comrades and me with her
safekeeping.

But sometimes, I
forget.

At bedtime, as I
kneel in prayer before God, I try to remember the hundreds of thousands
of families who lost their loved ones in the defense of this great land.

But sometimes, I
forget.

I try to remember
that I would die for this country, but I would much rather live for
it.

But sometimes, I
forget.

Yet at times (of
war) like this, when I remember to take these things into account, there
is no way I can explain the pride I feel and the honor I embrace while
wearing this uniform and serving this country. And when I leave this
world, my spirit will echo words known to me since childhood,

"One
nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

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